Talking Tactics: Foxes must stay sharp ahead of promotion run-in

After looking likely to run away with the Championship title, Leicester's automatic promotion charge has stumbled of late.

The Foxes have lost their last two league games, suffering a late collapse in a 3-1 defeat at Leeds last Friday night to cut their lead at the summit to just six points.

And for all their dominance this season, accusations of manager Enzo Maresca's possession-heavy tactical style being hard to watch are now coming to the surface.

As they prepare to take on Bournemouth in the FA Cup fifth round tonight, we assess whether that criticism is fair.

Style or substance

Following their surprise relegation from the Premier League last season, Leicester and their wealth of talent were quickly nailed on as favourites to come straight back up.

That they have won 25 of their 34 Championship games is no surprise but the way in which they have done it has been called into question at times.

Italian coach Maresca — who left his role as Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City to take over last summer — favours a slow build-up in attack, patiently finding the right moment to carve out opportunities.

Despite being top scorers in the division, the Championship leaders rank below promotion rivals Ipswich, Leeds, Southampton and even 10th-place Sunderland for shots taken and shot-creating actions per game.

Are you not entertained?

It is difficult to argue Maresca's methods are not effective at this level though, even if some would like to see the shackles taken off Leicester's attacking stars.

Despite losing their last two to Middlesbrough and Leeds, the Foxes can still enjoy a record-breaking Championship season.

Reading's total of 106 points in 2005-06 is still in their sights, with their points-per-game total of 2.29 after 34 matches beating some of the division's best ever teams.

After audible frustrations from fans during a 3-1 home win over Swansea last month, Maresca suggested their achievements so far this term are being underrated.

The 44-year-old said: "Probably the people, they think it's easy to win games but it's not easy.

"We have played 34 official games and we have won 26. That is a huge number.

"You can feel the fans when they’re not happy. Probably some people they take some things for granted — but it's not like this.

"I arrive in this club to play with this idea. The moment there is some doubt about the idea, the day after, I will leave."

Hold your nerve

Accusations of failing to entertain despite success are similar to the ones levelled at Man City — so it is perhaps not bad company to be in.

With Leeds blowing the now four-horse automatic promotion race wide open, Maresca's men have little time to feel sorry for themselves.

The last time the Foxes suffered consecutive defeats earlier his term, they responded by winning nine of their next 11 games and a similar reaction in the final 12 would surely seal their automatic spot.

The last two results — which saw them take 39 shots but hit the target only six times — suggest their problems lie with taking chances rather than any deeper issues.

A strong performance tonight at an impressive Bournemouth side would be the perfect way for Maresca to prove Leicester are ready for Premier League football once again.